Bible Discussion Thread

Final wrap up for now on Prosperity teaching.

Starting with the age of TV evangelists; and now advancing further with internet sermons and so called "crusades"; we often have no real basis for determining what is really happening on the ground in regard to how the money is spent; except of course for promotionals that a church produces to promote its own ministry when it comes to prosperity preachers in particular. Discipleship is often lacking. There are some Pentecostals that no doubt have very strict regulations; but as with many of the fundamental megachurches; a double standard often exists for leadership. Let's face it; it is rare anywhere to get anyone in leadership roles to admit they struggle with sin or any wrongdoing; unless of course they are caught in the act of misappropriating funds; or some other immoral act. Damage control; no doubt is steeped in the training of staff (again a tactic of dictators) to keep loyal supporters. Anything but greed is given as an excuse for out of control spending. This; of course leads to what I would call "self fulfilling prophecies" where anything untoward or scandalous is turned to the Pastor or "Apostle" or Prophet being a victim of circumstances; things we hear often from politicians. When justification is given for another spending spree of course it is some dream or vision of great "revival" which of course no one else is qualified to initiate that demands money.

I want to stop at this point and acknowledge that the irony here is that if such megapastors TRULY wanted people to prosper they would feel threatened; they would rather make some inane proclamation of return 100 fold than say invest in precious metals; save; invest with a long term goal rather than short term benefits. They of course don't know how to wait on God; and make the fatal error often that only God can give financial success rather than the evil one.

I can see murdurers truly repenting rather than some of these crooks.